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In This Newsletter:
Top Tier Burgundy Arriving Late June Featured New Arrivals: Rosé New Arrivals Featured New Arrival: Eternally Delicious Madeira Collector’s Corner Tan Fruit: Exploring Oregon Terroir with Jim Maresh of Arterberry Maresh  Top Tier Burgundy Arriving Late June Few wine production regions have dominated the heights of glory and fame for as long as Burgundy. With the greatest producers making similar quantities of wine as their forefathers and eager drinkers only increasing in number, restaurants, wine shops and distributors worldwide battle for ever slimmer allocations while fewer and fewer hidden, and undervalued, gems remain. While Tina Turner doesn’t perform at these Thunderdome matches, oftentimes only a mere handful of bottles reach any given market. That being said we’ve secured a vast selection of vintages from a family estate in the Côte de Nuits. Quantities are exceedingly limited, to say the least. You’d be forgiven for not having heard of Domaine Henri Richard – the majority of bottles that leave Beaune and Paris cross the Channel, not the Atlantic. It’s located in Gevrey-Chambertin, just past the legendary Domaine Trapet. Founded in 1938 by former cooper, Jean Richard, today the 4th generation manages the estate’s operations with holdings in the Grand Crus of Charmes-Chambertin and Mazoyères-Chambertin. Farming biodynamically since the year 2000 and using no more than a single new oak barrel in each of their bottlings, the Richards bottle some of the finest examples of terroir in the appellation. While some producers have taken up whole cluster winemaking to amp up the tannic punch, the estate prefers to keep this to a minimum to better highlight Pinot Noir’s elegance. This bodes especially well for the region’s aromatic and textured wines. Thanks to the selection of vintages that we’ve secured, this is your chance to experience the chameleonic quality of Pinot Noir as time works its magic. Domaine Henri Richard wines arriving Late June: Domaine Henri Richard Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru Cote de Nuits 2012 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Henri Richard Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru Cote de Nuits 2013 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Henri Richard Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru Cote de Nuits 2014 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Henri Richard Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru Cote de Nuits 2015 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Henri Richard Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Henri Richard Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru Cote de Nuits 2017 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Henri Richard Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Corvees Cote de Nuits 2011 750ML ($79.95) $66 pre-arrival special This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Henri Richard Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Corvees Cote de Nuits 2012 750ML ($79.95) $66 pre-arrival special This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Henri Richard Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Corvees Cote de Nuits 2013 750ML ($79.95) $66 pre-arrival special This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Henri Richard Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Corvees Cote de Nuits 2014 750ML ($79.95) $66 pre-arrival special This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Henri Richard Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Corvees Cote de Nuits 2015 750ML ($79.95) $66 pre-arrival special This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Henri Richard Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Corvees Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($79.95) $66 pre-arrival special This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Henri Richard Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Corvees Cote de Nuits 2017 750ML ($79.95) $66 pre-arrival special This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Henri Richard Gevrey-Chambertin ‘Les Tuileries’ Cote de Nuits 2014 750ML ($89.95) $75 pre-arrival special This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Henri Richard Gevrey-Chambertin ‘Les Tuileries’ Cote de Nuits 2015 750ML ($89.95) $75 pre-arrival special This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Henri Richard Gevrey-Chambertin ‘Les Tuileries’ Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($89.95) $75 pre-arrival special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Henri Richard Gevrey-Chambertin ‘Les Tuileries’ Cote de Nuits 2017 750ML ($89.95) $75 pre-arrival special This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Henri Richard Mazoyeres-Chambertin Grand Cru Cote de Nuits 2014 750ML ($199.95) $179 pre-arrival special This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Henri Richard Mazoyeres-Chambertin Grand Cru Cote de Nuits 2015 750ML ($199.95) $179 pre-arrival special This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Henri Richard Mazoyeres-Chambertin Grand Cru Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($199.95) $179 pre-arrival special This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Henri Richard Mazoyeres-Chambertin Grand Cru Cote de Nuits 2017 750ML ($199.95) $179 pre-arrival special This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Henri Richard Mazoyeres-Chambertin Grand Cru Cote de Nuits 1983 750ML ($299.95) $269 pre-arrival special This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Featured New Arrivals: Rosé
It’s officially rosé season here at the shop and we’ve brought in a variety of stellar bottlings from around the world. Regardless if you prefer your rosé to be domestically made, or from the Old World, Fruit or mineral driven we’ve got a rose for you!
Did you know that Mary J Blige operates a wine label in addition to her illustrious career in the Arts? Sourced from the picturesque Friuli Venezia Giulia region at the foothills of the Dolomite Mountains, the soil is comprised of gravel and glacial rockdust from runoff over the centuries. The rosé or ramato as it’s known as in the area is made entirely from Pinot Grigio that’s been subjected to a few hours of skin contact, giving the resulting wine additional complexity. Sun Goddess Ramato in stock now: Sun Goddess Pinot Grigio Ramato Friuli Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2019 750 ($21.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now James Suckling 90 points “A fun, tasty rosé made with pinot grigio that shows light strawberry and lemon-rind aromas with hints of white pepper. It’s medium-bodied with pretty fruit and a delicious finish. Drink now.” This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Mt. Etna is ubiquitous with stellar wines characterized by distinctive minerality born from thousands of years’ worth of volcanic activity. Described by the importer as “What growing wine on the moon would look like” The volcano’s considerable altitude contributes to some of the largest diurnal temperature variations in the world, creating juxtaposition of ripe fruit and prominent acids. I Custodi capitalizes on this in their rosé bottling especially by sourcing from the two red varietals indigenous to the volcano; Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio. Following traditional practices to the letter, I Custodi grows their vines in the traditional bushvine of Sicily called Alberello and makes their rosato by performing a gentle pressing and racking of the wines. The high elevation of the vineyard and marginal growing conditions of Etna create a zippy yet still juicy rose that delivers fruit punch, sumac and rosemary in spades. I Custodi Rosato in stock now: I Vigneri I Custodi delle Vigne dell’Etna ‘Alnus’ Etna Rosato Sicily 2020 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now Winery note “Alnus is the wine we dedicate to hundreds of generations of Etnean winegrowers that have built what we are preserving. The original plan was to make a rosé. But it would be disparaging to just put this wine into a category. It is fresh and sharp-edged like a great white, and at the same time full and comforting as only a good red Etna can be. Only a few thousand bottles to share: too little for a rosé that is no rosé.” This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Bedrock Wine company is one of the best wine operations in California and is most noted for their work in vineyard rehabilitation. Scouring historical records and property auctions, they work with some of the oldest vineyards in the entire country with many being thought lost forever. One of the best illustrations of their practices is their “Ode to Lulu” rosé, named after the now since deceased queen of rosé: Lulu Tempier of Bandol. Working with vineyards planted in 1888 and 1922 respectively their rose is 55% Mourvèdre with the remainder being Grenache. Vinified by master of wine Morgan Twain Peterson the stylistic nod to Bandol is evident from the first taste yet still clearly being from California, with a thorough line of acid balancing the wild strawberry, wet loam and rose petal elements. There’s a clear old-vine character to the wine that adds complexity and depth in a way that needs to be experienced rather than told. Bedrock Rosé in stock now: Bedrock Wine Co. ‘Ode to Lulu’ Rosé of Mourvèdre Sonoma Valley 2021 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 11 bottles in stock now William Kelley, Decanter – No reviews for current vintage. Recent review provided for reference: “Named in honour of Lulu Peynaud, the legendary chatelaine of Bandol’s Domaine Tempier, this Mourvèdre rosé bursts with watermelon, spring flowers, citrus and spice preface a fresh, supple wine with a savoury finish crying out for a Provençal feats. Morgan Twain-Peterson is one of the great exponents of California’s old vine heritage, and this bottling hails from a vineyard planted in the 1940s!” Bandol rosé has taken the world by storm and for good reason: it’s delicious! Bandol became famous as a source for dense reds from Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Cinsault. Today, the rosé revolution has commandeered the lion’s share of production, now commanding almost 3/4s of total production. There are few producers who hold our hearts as much as Chateau Pradeaux in Bandol. Working their entirely old vine estate with organic practices and rotating sheep instead of employing herbicide, these could be considered a still-affordable riposte to Tempier. Serving a harvest basket full of blood orange, sorbet, mandarin orange, fresh raspberry, hibiscus, lavender and sage that’s all underscored by a chalky minerality these are complex wines that are still crowd pleasers. New Chateau Pradeaux in stock now: Chateau Pradeaux Bandol Rose Provence 2021 750ML ($39.95) $36.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now Rosenthal Wine Merchant importer note “The Bandol Rosé from Pradeaux is perhaps the most serious wine in this category. Robust, rich, and complex with an ability to age gracefully, Etienne Portalis insists that the Domaine’s rosé is a gastronomic experience, not just an easy-drinking wine. We could not agree more, and tastings at Château Pradeaux have repeatedly demonstrated the graceful, profound future this wine encounters if not swallowed in its infancy.” Chateau Pradeaux ‘Vespree’ Rose Vin de France 2020 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 23 bottles in stock now Rosenthal Wine Merchant importer note ““Vesprée” represents a small portion of Pradeaux’s Bandol Rosé production vinified and aged in a combination of foudre and cement egg, and with an additional six months of ageing before bottling. Our tastings from the individual vessels in the cellars every year show a wine full of energy, slightly leaner and more focused than the basic Bandol above, but with similar concentration and grip.” This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Chateau Pradeaux Cotes de Provence Rose France 2021 750ML ($29.95) $26.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now Rosenthal Wine Merchant importer note “A core of sappy, glycerol red-cherry fruit anchors a firm, punchy minerality in Pradeaux’s Côtes de Provence rosé, and the finish is remarkably persistent. The vineyards that comprise this wine were, in fact, classified as Bandol AOC as recently as 2012, and this newly-labelled wine clearly distinguishes itself from among the vast ocean of Côtes de Provence rosé by virtue of its terroir’s unique pedigree.” European wine circles, they are considered to the finest producers of rosé out there—better even than Tempier. Here in the U.S., we tend to view things the other way around, but when you taste Ott’s top rosés, you understand the argument. Ott is an estate that’s focused on excellence above all else. They own multiple estates across Provence, all producing unique wines that are top of their class under the Louis Roederer banner. Domaines Ott is one of the two flagship producers of rosé in Provence and a true icon for top-tier, luxury rosé. Their entry level is a blend of all their parcels as well as younger vines planted at their reserve estates. Domaine Ott wine in stock now: Domaines Ott Cotes de Provence ‘By.Ott’ Rose France 2021 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now New Arrivals Italy – Friuli Venezia Giulia Sun Goddess Sauvignon Blanc Friuli Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2019 750ML ($21.95) $11.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now James Suckling 90 points “A white with dried-lemon and mineral character, as well as some sliced green apple. It’s medium-bodied. Crisp and bright at the finish. Drink now.” Italy – Chianti Pagliarese Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG Tuscany 2018 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva is another gorgeous old-school wine from Pagliarese. Black cherry, cloves, licorice, leather and woodsmoke give the 2018 its distinctive, somber feel. This dense, super-expressive Riserva certainly has tons of character. Tasting the 2018 is like stepping back in time thirty years.” Spain – Rioja Marques de Murrieta Reserva Rioja DOCa 2017 750ML ($29.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles in stock now Case- Marques de Murrieta Reserva Rioja DOCa 2017 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, (That’s $24.83 per bottle!) James Suckling 96 points “Incredible depth and intensity on the nose with chocolate, walnut, blackberry and wet-earth aromas. Some iodine, too. All this follows through to a full body with very silky tannins that give the wine depth and length. It’s really framed beautifully. Reserved and tight at the finish. A terrific wine for the cellar. Give this three to five years to open.” Decanter 94 points “A great classic, with a unique Rioja character, bursting with chewy red fruits, counterpointed by minerality. Reconciling power and finesse, pleasure and style. Warm and intense. Benchmark for wines of style, high-end brands. Leaves a vibrant memory.” Luis Gutierrez – Wine Advocate 93 points “The red 2017 Rioja Reserva is their flagship wine, of which they produce 900,000 bottles exclusively from grapes from their 300 hectares of estate vineyards. It’s a blend of 83% Tempranillo, 9% Graciano, 6% Mazuelo (Cariñena) and 2% Garnacha and has the character of the vintage, ripe and warm but without excess. The varieties fermented separately, even different plots fermented separately, and they also aged in barrel on their own. The blend is done at the end, after 20 months in American oak barrels. 2017 was a challenging year that they still consider a better vintage than 2018, as they see more concentration and power. The wine is quite lactic and creamy, still showing very young. It does feel undeveloped and in need of some time in bottle. The wine has concentration and clout, and I always consider it an ultimate example of an updated classical Reserva from Rioja. 2017 was the earliest harvest (started and finished in September), a warm and dry year when the Ygay estate miraculously escaped the terrible frost that decimated most of Europe. The challenge for this wine was to contain the ripeness and power, and they have done it. This will be released in spring 2021, so it should be a lot more integrated by then. This is always a sure value. Volumes are lower this year.” This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
 Featured New Arrival: Eternally Delicious Madeira Ever wondered what people drank outside of wine production zones prior to modern transportation? As you can expect, wines do not respond well to extended periods of heat, cold and churning which is exactly what would happen if you attempted to transport wines via boat in previous centuries. The solution for this was found in the Madeira Islands, a colony of Portugal that was a “rest stop” of sorts for ships bound for the New World. It was discovered that the combination of fortification with the yawing, rolling and pitching of the boats added tremendous character to the wines, as well as rendering them largely “immortal” in the bottle. The Founding Fathers were especially enamored with them most notably Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams.
We have sourced bottlings with this historical providence in mind, with the Rare Wine Company partnering with one of the oldest houses on the island to provide historically accurate representations of the Madeira of yesteryear. Should you prefer your fortified wines on the drier side or delightfully sweet, we have a bottling for everyone’s preference. Pairing wise these are famously amazing with mushroom based dishes, wild game and European style cheeses. In stock now: Henriques & Henriques 10 Years Old Bual Madeira 750ML ($69.95) $51.90 special, 2 bottles in stock now Wine Spectator 93 points “Sweet, with a thick texture moderated by tangy acidity, the caramel, molasses, walnut and orange flavors accelerate to a long, delineated finish with an aftertaste of the sea. Powerful and complex. Drink now.” Henriques & Henriques 10 Years Old Malmsey Madeira 750ML ($69.95) $51.90 special, 2 bottles in stock now Wine Spectator 91 points “Full, rich and powerful, yet with a definition that comes from the sharp acidity. The flavors are coffee, caramel, orange peel and vanilla. Long, satisfying finish. Drink now.” Henriques & Henriques 10 Years Old Sercial Madeira 750ML ($69.95) $51.90 special, 2 bottles in stock now Wine Spectator 89 points “Offers full, rich, complex aromas and flavors reminiscent of sea air and forest undergrowth, caramel and walnuts. Powerful and long, this has substance and a sharpness at the end that’s a little astringent. Drink now.” Henriques & Henriques 10 Years Old Verdelho Madeira 750ML ($69.95) $51.90 special, 2 bottles in stock now Wine Spectator 91 points “Serious stuff. Despite a slightly singed nose, it exhibits complex flavors of honey, smoke, pear and wet pine needles. Rich, with an underlying tang and vibrance that follows through to the long walnut and salt-tang finish. A wine for meditation. Drink now.” Wine Enthusiast 91 points “A medium-dry style made from the Verdlho grape, this wine is fruity while always shot through with Madeira’s trademark acidity. Nuts, spice, old wood and an intense juiciness make this a good aperitif. Drink now.” Collector’s Corner Tan Fruit: Exploring Oregon Terroir with Jim Maresh of Arterberry Maresh You know the Maresh family for their stunning examples of old-vine Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In the spirit of experimentation Jim decided to launch a separate label, named Tan Fruit, in order to craft Oregon Chardonnay completely untethered. After blowing us away during a visit to the shop and sweeping Wine Advocate’s 2021 Oregon Chardonnay awards, there’s something special going on! Jim noted that his goal was “to explore outside of the Dundee Hills.” In future vintages, he will continue to explore, sourcing from a mixture of vineyards, new sources, and even new regions within Oregon. He began Tan Fruit to “experiment and play around with techniques” for crafting Chardonnay, but the essentials for making Oregon Chard great in the winery will always be in his mind to pick early, age in a combination of steel and oak, and to ferment bone dry. He said that he loves Chardonnay. It’s his “favorite to drink and favorite to make.” Sourcing from vineyards throughout the Willamette Valley, these represent dry-farmed artistry at its finest. These Chardonnays exhibit a complete and unique showing of Oregon’s terror as well as the varietals reputation for being a “winemaker’s grape”. Regardless of vineyard location, vine age and élevage these are both delightfully accessible now and yet demand further bottle age. We also can’t get enough of Jim’s winemaking in the estate lineup, with the critics agreeing with us! Consistently one of the top scoring Oregon Chardonnay’s on the market, you’d be hard pressed to find a dry-farmed chardonnay of this caliber and price point anywhere. Tan fruit in stock now: Tan Fruit Dux Vineyard Chardonnay Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 36+ bottles in stock now Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 98 points “The aromas of the 2019 Chardonnay Dux Vineyard are alluring and savory, with ripe peach layers, beeswax, roasted almonds and pastry. The palate has a singular satiny texture and impressive concentration, enlivened by tangy acidity and streaks of graphite and finishing with tremendous length and energy. Wow!” This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Tan Fruit Maresh Vineyard Chardonnay Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 36+ bottles in stock now Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2019 Chardonnay Maresh Vineyard comes from Dijon clones planted in 1991, and it was matured in about 35% new oak. This vintage is pure and tensile, with scents of tarragon and fragrant herbs, beeswax and almonds, with plush white peach fruit. The palate combines intense ripe fruit with a spine of tangy, tense acidity, and it finishes with tremendous length. Allow it another 3-5 years in bottle.” Tan Fruit ‘Tank Fruit’ Chardonnay Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 14 bottles in stock now Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 99 points “The Chardonnay Tank Fruit comes from the same Oak Grove fruit as that vineyard designate, but was aged a bit longer, with 12 months in oak and another 12 months in stainless steel. It is pure, ultra perfumed, intense and layered, with alluring white peaches and lilac interwoven with cashews and honeycomb on the nose. The palate derives incredible energy from the push-pull of those deeper tones with salty, energetic acidity, and it finishes with extraordinary length.” This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Tan Fruit Vojtilla Vineyard Chardonnay Chehalem Mountains 2019 750ML ($79.95) $64.50 special 36+ bottles in stock now Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 97 points “Vojtilla is a small, four-acre vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains that sits at around 500 to 600 feet in elevation and, says Jim Maresh, is influenced by the nearby Willamette River. Harvested in October this vintage, the 2019 Chardonnay Vojtilla Vineyard comes from Dijon clone vines planted in 1991, and it was matured in about 25% new Damy barrels. It has a stunning perfume of quince paste and mushrooms, pastry and flowers, and the palate is satiny, plush and pure, with a seamless tangy streak and long, powerful finish.” |
Vinopolis Wine Shop
